Other Names: "Barra", Silver Barramundi, Giant Perch, Palmer Perch
Habitat
In Australian waters you can fly fish for Barramundi on the north coast from the Pilbara through the Kimberley and the Top End, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York and down the Queensland coast as far south as Fraser Island. It is also found in south East Asia, China and the Persian Gulf. The Barramundi can be found in creeks, rivers and estuaries in clear or turbid waters. It is listed as a freshwater fish but can commonly be found in estuarine waters.
Size
Barramundi have been known to grow in excess of 60kg or 1.8 m but is more commonly caught in the 10-20kg and up to 1.2m range. It is illegal to catch Barramundi under 55 cm in the NT and 58cm in QLD.
Feeding
Barramundi eat a range of food including fishes, shrimp, crayfish, crab and aquatic insects and they are mainly but not exclusively nocturnal feeders.
Seasons
Barramundi fishing is easier when the water is warmer in the north of Australia. From September to December the weather "builds up" when the air and water temperatures and humidity levels increase. The other best time of year is the "run off" when the wet season winds down from late March and the flooding is running off the flood plains. In some areas it is illegal to intentionally catch Barramundi over the wet season.
Breeding
Barramundi are born as males and then transform into female for breeding at around five years. They grow to maturity in the upper reaches of freshwater rivers then migrate downstream, often during flooding to estuaries and coastal waters for spawning.
Description
The Barramundi has a pointed head, concave forehead, a large jaw extending behind the eye and a rounded caudel fin. It has a first dorsal fin with seven or eight strong spines and a second soft-rayed dorsal fin with ten or eleven rays. Adult Barramundi are blue to green-grey dorsally, silvery on the sides and white below. Juveniles are mottled brown with a distinct white strip from the dorsal fin to the snout.
How to catch them
Barramundi are prized by recreational anglers as a strong and large fighting fish often known for its spectacular acrobatics and leaps when hooked.
They are also a splendid eating fish especially if they have spent the majority of their lives in flowing, clear waters.
A favorite haunt for "Barra" is amongst mangroves and around submerged logs and other overhangs where it waits to ambush it’s pray. It prefers larger waters with a slow continuous flow and water temperatures above 20 C.
They will hit the fly hard and run for the snags and the fly fisherman is usually the loser if the fish gets there.
Barramundi are nocturnal feeders, but like most fish they are usually active at change of light or tide. They can also often be caught during the day when they are opportunistic feeders.
Barramundi Fishing Hot Spots
The Kimberley rivers such as the Fitzroy near Broome, the Pentecost and King rivers near Wyndham and the Ord, Victoria and Keep rivers near Kununurra are popular with Barra fishing. The Ord River in particular being known for big Barramundi in excess of one meter.
Most of the Northern Territory coastal rivers and estuaries are great for Barramundi fishing. The Katherine and Daly rivers flowing to the west coast are popular with fishermen chasing big Barramundi. The Daly hosts two dedicated Barra fishing festivals each year. The Mary, Wildman and Adelaide rivers and the South and East Alligator rivers flow to the north between Darwin and Kakadu and are easily accessible Barra fishing rivers. You can experience the best Barramundi Fishing Darwin has to offer!
Arnhemland is a huge Aboriginal owned area occupying the North East coastal area of the NT. A permit is required to enter Arnhemland, which is difficult to obtain for free traveling. The Liverpool river coastal region at Maningrida is one of the best Barramundi fishing areas in the country and a first class fishing lodge operates here giving anglers access to the incredible Barramundi fishing of the region.
The Tiwi Islands north of Darwin are also great for Barra fishing. Again they are only accessible with a permit and an excellent fishing lodge operates on Melville Island.
On the west coast of the NT the McArthur and the Roper River accessed from near Borroloola are excellent Barramundi fishing locations but again are quite isolated.
Queensland is also a Barramundi fishing heaven. The Albert and Leichardt rivers near Burktown and Karumba at the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria are excellent Barra rivers.
All the rivers of Cape York are also productive Barramundi rivers in particular the west coast rivers such as the Jackson, Cotterel, Skardon and Jardin.
These are just a few of the many excellent Barramundi fishing locations in the North of Australia. Just don’t make the mistake of focusing solely on Barramundi as the rich tropical waters of the north are home to over 50 more commonly caught sports fish. Jewfish, Salmon, Cobia, Cod, Groper, Coral Trout, Giant and Golden Trevally, Snapper, Tuna and Mangove Jack just to name a few.
Our aim is to make your barramundi fishing trip your most memorable one. With many barramundi fishing charters available, you will have a great time enjoying fishing with your closed ones.
Request a Barramundi Fishing brochure and see our range of exciting barra fishing adventures to wild, remote and exotic destinations..